FPB changes Inxeba rating to X18

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 11:09 AM

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The Film and Publication Board's (FPB) Appeal Tribunal has overturned the classification rating of 16LS given to the film Inxeba (The Wound) and given it a rating of X18 following high controversy over the visuals shown in the movie.

Films with this changed rating cannot be shown in cinemas, meaning that local theatre houses will be able to resume business as usual following a harrowing barrage of death threats to many cinema house workers during the opening week.

The board made the announcement via a series of tweets on Wednesday morning.

This follows the film's cast and it's producers laying complaints with the South African Human Rights Commission and the Commission for Gender Equality after violent threats were made against them.

The FPB’s Manala Botolo spoke about the change in the rating and said, “Inxeba has not been pulled from cinemas yet. Action will only be taken when the Appeal Tribunal gives it’s reasoning behind the change.”

"A date for when the body will give this reasoning has not been set," added Manala.

In a tweet FPB explained what the new rating means saying: “A rating of X18 means that the material can only be distributed from designated adult premises. This means the film cannot be screened in cinemas or any other platform that is not a designated adult premise as defined by the Film and Publications Act no 96 of 1996 as amended.”

“The Chairperson of the Appeals Tribunal in consultation with other tribunal members agreed to hear the appeal based on applications lodged by CONTRALESA Gauteng and The Men and Boy Foundation. The complaints were largely based on the perceived cultural insensitivity and distortion of the Xhosa Circumcision tradition (Ulwaluko), strong language in the film.”